Method of using concentrated decolorizing clays for refining lubricating oils



May" 25 1926.

JURRlssEN METHOD'OF USING CONCENTRATED DE'COLORIZING CLAYS FOR` REFINING LUBRICATING OILS -Filed May 51,' 1921 um Nl QN u PATENT OFFICE.

ALPHONSUS JURRISSEN, 0F MARTINEZ, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR T0 SIMPLEX REFIN- ING- COMPANY, OF SAN FRANCISCO,

FORNIA.

CALIFORNIA, A CORPORATION 0F CALI- METHOD OF 'USING CONCENTRATED DECOLORIZING CLAYS FOR REFINING LUBRI- CATING OILS.

Application filed May 31, 1921. Serial4 No. 473,746.

My invention relates to the refining of lubricating oils for the purpose of removing impurities therefrom and improving their color. The process commonly employed for effecting this result comprises the addition of sulphuric acid thereto, the subsequent neutralization of this acid by the use of alkaline solutions followed by washing of the oil with water. The practice of this process is somewhat expensive and often results in the production of emulsions from which it is extremely difficult to remove the water and which result in great waste. I

The principal object Iof my invention is to provide a process by which lubricating oils may be refined without use of water and without danger of the formation of emulsions. It is possible to accomplish this result by the use of very expensive activated materials but it is a further object of my invention to provide a process by which extremely cheap and common materials may be used as will be made evident hereinafter.

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the apparatus employed in practicing my invention. f

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the saine.

Referring to the drawings which are for illustrative purposes only,

11 is an acid agitator, 12 is a pump, 13 is a clay a 'tator, 14 is a clay blower, 15 is a lime b owe-r, 16 is'a pump, 17 is a filter press and 18 is a suitable storage tank. The lubricatingoil which is ordinarily a distillate is supplied through a pipe 20 controlled by a valve 21 flowing into the top of the acid agitator 11 which is fed with 0.0mpressed air through a pipe 22 and with concentrated sulphuric acid through a pipe 23, the acid and oil being agitated thoroughly by the air delivered through the pipe 22.

The waste acid sludge may be withdrawn through a pipe 25. The oil which contains free'acid as Well as products formed by the acid and oil is delivered to the pump 12 through a pipe 24 and from the pump 12 lthrough a pipe 30 to the clay agitator 13.

In the agitator 13 it is agltated by air delivered through an air pipe 31. The oil is first treated with finely divided clay delivered through a pipe 32 and subsequently with lime, Ca(OH) 2, delivered through a pipe 33. Sludge :is withdrawn through a pipe 35. The treated oil is delivered to a pipe 36 which connects to a swinging pipe 37 inside lthe agitator 13 sothat the -oil may be drawn off from any level. The lime Ca(OH)2 is supplied by means of `the lime blower 15 into which the lime is charged, this lime being forced out by conipressed air delivered by a pipe 40 controlled by a valve 41. The finely divided clay is delivered from the clay blower 14 which is supplied with compressed air through apipe 42 controlled by a valve 43.

In the ordinary practice of the invention I use any ordinary clay containing aluminum and magnesium silicates. This clay is dried and ground so that it can be readily blown into the tank 13. The addition of the dry clay to the oil containing the acid results in an immediate clarification of the oil. I am unable to positively state that this is due to any reaction between the acid and the clay but I believe this to be the case a's I think the acid first acts upon the clay rendering it more active and that the colloidal matter and impurities carried in the oil are thereupon agglomerated about the clay particles which fall to the bottom of the agitator 13 from which they can be readily removed through the pipe 35.

I have found that after the clay has been` blown into the agitator for a certain length of time that it is advisable to supply lime for the purpose of finishing the neutralization of the acid. The yoil delivered Ito the pipe 36 should be neutral and, of course, contains particles of solid matter. The pump 16 forcesl the oil through the filter press 17 in which this solid material is removed, the clarified oil being delivered to the tank 18. It will be seen in the use of my process, no Water is added to the oil and that there is no danger of the formation of emulsions. It will also be seen that the washing of the oil ordinarily necessary in the treatment of lubricating oils is entirely done away with.

It will be further noted that by the use of this process I am able t-o use very cheap and common clays as a decolorizing agent. so that the expense of the process is extremely low.

It is now the usual practice to treat oils with the sulphuric acid of commerce which contains Water and to later neutralize this sulphuric acid by the use of lime or other alkali in solution in Water. My invention is broadly new and basic, in that I use a sulphuric acid which is substantially free from Water, and that neither the clay nor the lime which I later add contain any Water hatever. By' thus omitting the Water usually employed as a diluent or solvent, I am able to prevent the formation of emulsions and eilect other economies of operation.

I claim as my invention:

l. A method of using decolorizing` clays for the treatment of lubricating oils which comprisesz'adding to the dry oil to be treated a non-aqueous Sulphuric acid; agitating said oil with said acid to produce a thorough mixture thereof; removing the supernatant oil from the resulting mlXture of oil said clay and oil to and acid sludge; blowing into said supernatant oil deeolorizing clays in finely commnuted form, `free from' water; agitating produce a thorough mixture thereof; treatingY said mixture with dry alkaline reagent to neutralize the acid; and thereafter liltering the mixture to remove any solid matter therefrom.

2. A method of treating petroleum oils which comprises: adding sulphuric acid to the oil; adding decolorizing clay; and neutralizing with an alkali, the oil, sulphuric acid, and'allrali all being substantially free from Water.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set myv hand at the city of Martinez and county of Contra Costa, California, this 21st day ot' May 1921.

ALPHON SUS J URRISSEN. 

